April 24, 2026

Acadia University is exploring a restructuring as it contends with the potential impacts of Nova Scotia’s Bill 12 and other pressures. Acadia Provost and VPA Ashlee Cunsolo explained that the current moment of upheaval in NS has forced “critical thinking about where we go and what we do as universities.” The proposed changes include grouping the university’s academic programming into eight schools and streamlining the academic administrative oversight with a new governing structure. Cunsolo told CBC that fewer administrative positions would be required under the proposed changes. The university is now engaging in consultations on the proposed changes and noted that the changes have yet to be costed. CBC reports that a new governing structure could be implemented as soon as Fall 2027.

McGill University has announced plans to expand its Indigenous student housing options. McGill explained that it intends to create 42 units at the Royal Victoria College Tower, as well as adding five spaces at Mac. These new beds are expected to be ready for the 2026–27 academic year. Currently, the university uses the First Peoples’ House as a residence, office, and community hub all in one; by transitioning the residence units to the tower, students will gain access to 24-7 residence staff, secure card-entry systems, and residence life programming. The First Peoples’ House will be converted into Indigenous graduate student housing by 2028. “We have a growing Indigenous student community, and this allows us to better support our students while creating more opportunities for connection and belonging,” said McGill Associate Provost (Indigenous Initiatives) Celeste Pedri-Spade.

In a recent article for the evoLLLution, Jarek Janio (Santa Ana College) argues against the notion that some courses teach skills while others are focused on developing the human being. Janio writes that this idea is flawed, as it reflects a misunderstanding of what constitutes a skill by reducing it to technical and hands-on abilities. The author argues that skills are developed through both vocational training and academic study, and explains that the definition of a skill must not leave room for abstraction or vague language. When skills are not clearly defined, students bear the cost, he explains. “Either we continue to describe learning in abstract terms, or we define it in ways that can be demonstrated,” writes Janio. “Skill is not a subset of education. It is how learning becomes observable.”

Elevare Career Institute, Saint Mary’s University, and Tyndale University have announced new programs this week. ECI launched a Health Care Assistant program and a Pharmacy Assistant program in response to high demand in Kelowna. The programs will begin in the coming months. SMU launched a Sustainability Management major in its Bachelor of Commerce program, which is designed to help students address issues like climate change and resource use while also considering business needs. Tyndale announced a new Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music program that will begin this Fall. In what the university calls the first of its kind for a Christian University, the program will combine Performance or Worship Arts with a liberal arts curriculum.

Concordia University and the French private school Marcq Institution have signed an academic pathway agreement that builds on their existing relationship. Through the agreement, Concordia will offer high school graduates from Marcq personalized application support and an accelerated admission process. Marcq guidance staff will also gain dedicated training on Concordia admission policies. “We already welcome students from Marcq and know the quality of the education they receive,” said Concordia Director of Student Recruitment Savvy Papayiannis. “We value our partnership with the school and want to facilitate the recruitment and admissions experience for their graduates.”

Vancouver Community College has reportedly cancelled the Fall 2026 intake of its nursing program due to budgetary constraints. VCC is expected to resume offering the program in 2027, reports CBC. BC Nurses’ Union President Adriane Gear said that the news is concerning because of the number of nursing vacancies in the province, especially at a time when the Government of British Columbia Ministry of Health has established new minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. “We will not have enough nurses to do this,” said Gear, adding that postsecondary institutions need more nursing program seats and supports for students if the province is to meet demand.

The Fondation de l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières has received $540K from the NEXCAP Fondation to support a research project focused on helping autistic youth access postsecondary education. The project—led by UQTR Professor Ève-Line Bussières—will foster new secondary education pathways in collaboration with schools and the create training materials for those involved in the pathway. Foundation Présidente-directrice générale Joëlle Gagné explained that autistic students often experience interrupted educational pathways, and added that this investment will also support the transformation of pathways to employment.

Globe and Mail reporter Joe Friesen recently explored how some universities are creating opportunities for students to engage in debates on uncomfortable topics. Friesen writes that some academics and administrators are concerned that students are not developing the skills they need to appropriately engage with others who hold opposing viewpoints. The article highlights some of the initiatives that postsecondary institutions are taking to address this issue. These include a workshop held by Victoria University at the University of Toronto on difficult conversations where students eat lunch together and genuinely hear arguments that may oppose their own viewpoints and a class at the University of British Columbia Okanagan where students debate difficult ideas.

Memorial University has received a $500K donation from the Woodward Family to enhance student entrepreneurship. Specifically, the funds will be used to expand the Mel Woodward Cup student startup competition. Memorial explained that the cup has awarded over $350K over its 10-year history, and the new donation will sustain the competition in the coming years. “We recognize that it’s important to keep the value of the prize given time and inflation erosion. To perpetuate the stimulus to students, we felt the need to add to the principle,” explained donor Peter Woodward.

The student-led initiative DrinkSmart—operated by Smart Serve Ontario—has released its 2025 Campus Pulse Survey results. The survey of 4,000 Ontario postsecondary students found that students are facing a mix of sources of stress outside of school, including cost of living, employment, housing, and mental health. The study authors noted relatively low rate of gambling, cannabis use, and alcohol use, and stated that alcohol use appears to be lower among the younger students than their older counterparts. In comments to CTV News, students and staff from higher ed highlighted a gap between the need for support and awareness of available services.